Chapter 235: Chapter 234 The Real Reward_1
“What method?”
In the warehouse, the Interlocutor’s body was rapidly crystallizing, turning into a grey, transparent statue, and then disintegrating inch by inch.
However, his eyes were fixed on Fu Qian, completely unaware.
“If it’s really as I suspect, that there is an entity capable of peeking into consciousness parasitizing me, then my chances are very slim.”
Fu Qian looked at him.
“The only thing I can rely on is that you wouldn’t dare expose yourself in this place, not even a bit, so here, my consciousness won’t be spied upon.”
If his guess was correct and the real target of the task was the Interlocutor, then the warehouse must have a means to deal with him, otherwise the task would have been pointless.
So here, he must be in the deepest state of hiding.
Fu Qian added to himself.
“To prevent the thought of dealing with you from being detected, I didn’t leave immediately. Instead, I formulated a complete plan right here, clear about every step.”
“The moment I leave this place, my mind won’t consider any related information, but will only act according to the plan I’ve made.”
“Boiling water, cooking noodles, just do it step by step without thinking about why, with the timing down to the second.”
“Finally, after a series of utterly normal operations, I will suddenly stop at a predetermined moment, maintaining a blank state of mind.”
“I’ve set this timing for five seconds.”
“During that time, I won’t ponder why or pay attention to my body’s changes, and after five seconds, I’ll return here.”
“Assuming you’ve been peering all along, what would your reaction be upon realizing that the host suddenly isn’t right?”
“You’re weakened now, definitely not wanting to be noticed. You would probably be worried whether the parasite has affected my sanity, and whether the abnormal behavior would draw unnecessary attention.”
“Considering you haven’t sensed any danger, it would be a reasonable and safe move to slightly guide me, making my behavior return to normal, and then—we arrive here.”
“This was a risky gamble, and I probably only had one chance.”
Fu Qian looked at the Interlocutor, whose body was now battered and his head about to fall off.
“If I had failed, I might not have even been aware of my failure. It’s quite an interesting statement to make, luckily I haven’t…”
“Your performance is truly astonishing!”
At that moment, with a dull thud, the Interlocutor’s shriveled head fell to the ground, messy hair like dry grass, but still making a sound.
“However, I can tell you that, no matter the form of restraint, one day I will return.”
“Great!”
Fu Qian waved his hand at him dismissively.
“You go for it!”
The Interlocutor didn’t make another sound, his head quickly becoming insubstantial, casting toward the depths of the warehouse.
Done.
Witnessing this, Fu Qian exhaled.
This had to be the weirdest task so far!
And the most dangerous!
It has to be said, this kind of corrosion that surpasses concepts, even dimensions, is really eye-opening.
In previous tasks, the biggest danger was losing all SAN Points.
This time, if I hadn’t noticed, I could have become a Puppet in silence.
Luckily for me, I have a rich imagination.
Thinking back, the warehouse did give some hints.
Take the task rewards, for instance.
Aside from SAN Points and Inspiration, there was nothing else, which was undoubtedly unusual.
Beyond that, there was another detail that was very easy to overlook.
“[Today’s work is completed, you may now leave the warehouse]”
The message that appeared after every task, yet after I sat in the warehouse for a whole half an hour, it never appeared.
It was almost a clear indication that my task wasn’t over yet.
Now, the real reward should be coming, right?
Fu Qian sat in his spot, looking toward the depths of the warehouse.
As if hearing his thoughts, the next moment, two items appeared on the table, silently and without notice.
“`
What is this?
Almost immediately, Fu Qian was drawn to the bizarre shape of the items and reached out to pick up the larger one.
It’s so heavy, it looks like a torture device!
The first reward turned out to be a Hexagonal Iron Cage.
The iron cage was half a meter tall, looking like it was crudely cast from raw iron, exceptionally thick and heavy.
One end had a hole, just big enough to fit a head through.
[Name: Sweet Dream Cage]
Fu Qian’s attention was focused on it, and a row of information appeared.
[Type: Helmet]
[Description: A self-imprisoning headcage, which isolates thoughts when worn. Depending on the duration of its use, it produces different effects]
[Wearing for 0-60 minutes, one can be isolated from all gazes]
[Wearing for 1-6 hours, one can see the undistorted truth]
[Wearing for more than 6 hours, one will fall into sweet nightmares]
[Note: After each removal, the headcage will automatically lock and cannot be reopened for 24 hours]
[Remark: It is said that absolute self-isolation can foster the Wisdom of the Divine]
So this thing is actually a helmet?
What a unique design!
Fu Qian admired the design as he read through the description.
The effects are quite interesting too.
His biggest trouble at the moment was being vulnerable to the gazes of various beings.
In such a situation, the first effect was undoubtedly quite suitable.
Although the description suggests that it is only effective within the first hour and can’t be maintained continuously, it could still be incredibly useful at critical moments.
As for seeing the undistorted truth, he couldn’t think of an immediate use for it, and the sweet nightmares that followed seemed problematic, to say the least—it certainly didn’t sound like anything good.
Can’t wear it for too long.
After a quick analysis, Fu Qian put the headcage back on the table and picked up another reward.
He was, in fact, familiar with this item.
[Name: Worm Whistle]
[Type: Special Item]
[Description: It can emit a sound that penetrates the barriers of reality and dreams, summoning Nightmare Worms to devour everything]
[Remark: In most spacetimes, worms can only exist for a very short duration, and they do not distinguish between friend and foe]
It really is this thing!
Fu Qian toyed with the white whistle in his hand.
If it has the same effect as in the mission, the summoned worms are undoubtedly quite powerful, at least at the Demigod Level.
Even though they don’t differentiate between friend and foe, if used appropriately, they could still have a remarkable effect.
These two rewards are undoubtedly quite practical, it wasn’t a waste of effort after all!
Considering their potential dangerousness, Fu Qian didn’t carry them with him but left them in the warehouse.
After taking care of everything, Fu Qian activated his sigil and returned home.
It was still morning outside, and the noodles on the table were still steaming.
Now the silence was gone; almost instantly, the calls in his mind surged like a tide.
It should be fine now!
Fu Qian nodded to himself.
As he hadn’t heard these voices earlier, it seemed that the parasitism was to blame.
Could it be because his soul isn’t pure anymore?
Latter on, he could use this to check whether he had been affected.
“Quiet!”
While he thought to himself, Fu Qian hummed and picked up the chopsticks in front of him.